Crim P&E Review Flashcards
WARRANTS & ARRESTS
How many days to the Police have to execute a search warrant, and how is it calculated?
Police have 3 days to execute a search warrant, excluding day of issuance and execution.
WARRANTS & ARRESTS
What must an arrest warrant include? (4)
(SOT-N/DP-O(N)-Signed)
An arrest warrant must:
- Be made in the name of “The State of Texas”
- Name the person to be arrested (or describe person if name is unknown)
- State that the person is accused of an offense against the laws of Texas and name that offense
- Signed by a magistrate
WARRANTS & ARRESTS
What must a search warrant have? (3)
(APC TO Specify PIO)
A search warrant must be based on PC and supported by an affidavit based on officer’s personal knowledge or trustworthy information (affidavit must allege the informant’s reliability and basis of knowledge).
- Sufficient facts to establish PC that a specific offense has been committed.
- The specifically described items to be searched for and seized constitute evidence of that offense OR that a particular person has committed that offense and the items are at or on the particular person.
- The place or thing to be searched.
WARRANTS & ARRESTS
When must the arrested individual be taken before the magistrate?
A person who has been arrested must be taken before a magistrate no later than 48 hours after arrest. This can be accomplished through closed circuit television.
WARRANTS & ARRESTS
Does the exclusionary rule apply to private citizens?
If a private citizen obtains evidence in a way that would be illegal if done by a police officer, then the exclusionary rule does not apply to that evidence, even when the citizen is not acting at the behest of the police.
WARRANTS & ARRESTS
How many warrants needed for the arrest of a person and search/seizure of identified items?
A single warrant may be issued for both the arrest of a person and search/seizure of identified items.
JURISDICTION & VENUE
Where are felonies tried?
Felonies are tried in Criminal District Court.
JURISDICTION & VENUE
Where is the default venue?
The default venue for a criminal offense is the county where the offense occurred.
JURISDICTION & VENUE
What is the SOL for criminal offenses?
The SOL for presenting an indictment is 3 years from commission of a felony, or 2 years from the commission of a misdemeanor.
CHARGING INSTRUMENTS
What is a complaint?
A complaint is a written affidavit brought by an individual alleging a criminal act.
CHARGING INSTRUMENTS
What is a Class C misdemeanor?
A criminal offense punishable by a max fine of $500 is initiated by filing a complaint with the municipal or justice court.
CHARGING INSTRUMENTS
Information is:
An information is a written statement brought by the state charging the D with a misdemeanor criminal act. Must be accompanied by an affidavit.
CHARGING INSTRUMENTS
How are class “A” and “B” misdemeanors are initiated?
Class “A” and “B” misdemeanors are initiated by filing an information in county court.
CHARGING INSTRUMENTS
What is an indictment, can it be waived, and if so when?
An indictment is a written statement brought by a grand jury alleging a felony criminal act. May be waived by D for any noncapital felony, in which case, the felony may be prosecuted by the filing of an information.
CHARGING INSTRUMENTS
How to challenge a defective indictment?
(Quash WB Defect)
To challenge a defective indictment, the defense must file a motion to quash, which must (Quash WB Defect)
(1) be in writing,
(2) filed before trial begins,
and
(3) specify the claimed defect.
GRAND JURIES
Who has the power to impanel a grand jury?
A District Court Judge has the power to impanel a grand jury, or “convene” a grand jury.
GRAND JURIES
Where are grand jury and petit jury are formed from?
A grand jury and petit jury are formed by summons from a fair cross section of the community.
GRAND JURIES
How to challenge the jury array?
Two bases for challenging the array from which the grand jury is selected are that
(1) an improper method was used to select the array,
or
(2) the official who summoned prospective jurors acted corruptly in doing so.
GRAND JURIES
How many qualified individuals are needed to serve?
Once at least 16 prospective grand jurors are qualified, the court will select and impanel 12 to serve and 4 to be alternates.
GRAND JURIES
Who may be present during grand jury proceedings? (6)
(GBP-WIS: Great Britain Protect Wales, Ireland, and Scotland)
While the grand jury is conducting proceedings, only 6 people may be present:
- Grand jurors
- Bailiffs
- Prosecutor
- Witnesses (while being examined)
- Interpreters (if necessary)
- Stenographer (or person recording)
GRAND JURIES
Who may question a grand jury witness?
Only the prosecutor or the grand jury members may question a grand jury witness.
GRAND JURIES
Can a prosecutor can compel D to appear at the grand jury?
Yes. A prosecutor can compel D to appear at the grand jury, but cannot compel him to answer incriminating questions.
GRAND JURIES
What warnings must be given to D or suspect if subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury? (6)
(LAROSA)
If a D or a suspect is subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury, he must be given 6 warnings:
- His testimony is under oath.
- If he falsely answers a material question, there is a risk of an aggravated perjury prosecution.
- Right to refuse to answer any incriminating questions.
- Right to have a lawyer present outside the chamber for advice before answering questions.
- Any testimony could be used against him in a subsequent proceeding.
- Right to an appointed attorney if indigent.
GRAND JURIES
Does the accused or suspect have an explicit right to address the grand jury?
No. An accused or suspect has no explicit right to address the grand jury and may only do so with consent of prosecutor.
GRAND JURIES
How many jurors are required to issue an indictment?
At least 9 grand jurors must agree to indict (true bill).
GRAND JURIES
Can a prosecutor seek a re-indictment?
Yes. If a grand jury issues a no-bill, there is no time limit for a prosecutor to seek a re-indictment.
GRAND JURIES
Who can participate in grand jury deliberations?
During deliberations on indictment, only the members of the grand jury may participate.
GRAND JURIES
Can the prosecutor be present during grand jury deliberations?
The grand jury may ask advice from prosecutor about the law, and may ask question about the grand jury duties, but the prosecutor may not be present when the grand jury is deliberating.
GRAND JURIES
Do the rules of evidence apply to grand jury proceedings?
In general, the rules of evidence do not apply to grand jury proceedings. The grand jury may hear hearsay evidence as well as evidence that was illegally obtained, but a witness is allowed to assert an evidentiary privilege.
EXAMINING TRIALS
When is a person entitled to an examining trial?
An individual who has been arrested for a felony but not yet charged by an indictment is entitled to an examining trial.
EXAMINING TRIALS
What rights does the accused have at an examining trial? (5)
(C-US-PCS)
At an examining trial, the accused has the following rights:
- To be represented by counsel
- To be present when witnesses are presented
- Confront and cross-examine witnesses
- Subpoena witnesses
- Make an unsworn statement (in a signed writing) before any witnesses are examined and/or give testimony
EXAMINING TRIALS
When is a D entitled to a court appointed attorney?
An indigent D is entitled to have an attorney appointed in an adversarial judicial proceeding that may result in punishment by confinement.
BAIL BONDS
What is a surety bond?
A surety bond is a written understanding to secure D’s appearance in court entered into by the D and his sureties.
BAIL BONDS
What is a cash bond?
A cash bond is a written undertaking to secure the D’s appearance in court but the D, not a surety, makes a cash deposit with the court in the amount of the bond.
BAIL BONDS
What is a personal bond?
A personal bond is a written promise by D to appear in court to answer the criminal accusations that is secured only by D’s promise to pay the bond amount if he fails to appear.
BAIL BONDS
What is a recognizance bond?
Recognizance may be granted by a magistrate if D is
(1) charged with a fine-only misdemeanor,
and
(2) has no convictions for felonies or misdemeanors punishable by jail time.
BAIL BONDS
What factors does a court consider when determining bail amount?
(HON DF)
In determining the amount of bail, the court must consider: (HON-DF)
- What amount is high enough to give reasonable assurances that D will appear
- Requirement that bail cannot be used as an instrument of oppression
- Nature and circumstances of the offense
- D’s ability to make bail (proof may be taken)
- Future safety of a victim and community